# How to Test an Automation Before Activating It

> Test any automation with real or sample data before it goes live. AVA runs the flow in test mode — no real changes are made until you confirm.
> Help → Automations → How to Test an Automation Before Activating It

URL: https://thatapp.io/help/automations/automations-test
Category: Automations (iPaaS)

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Always test before activating. Testing runs the flow logic and shows you the output without making real changes.

**How to run a test**

After building a flow with AVA, say:

> "Test this automation."

AVA will ask whether you want to use a sample record or a specific real record.

*Sample record:* AVA generates a synthetic record that matches your trigger conditions and runs the flow against it. Good for verifying the logic when you do not have a suitable real record ready.

*Real record:* You specify a record (by name or ID) and AVA runs the flow against it. Good for verifying that your field mappings and data look correct with actual data.

**What the test shows you**

- The trigger that fired (and the conditions evaluated)
- Each action, in order, with its output
- For messaging actions (Slack, email): the exact message that would be sent
- For record creation actions: the record that would be created, with all field values
- For document generation: a preview of the generated document

No real messages are sent, no real records are created, no real changes are made during a test.

**If the test fails**

AVA will show you which step failed and why. Common causes:
- A field referenced in the flow does not exist on the source record
- A credential for a target platform is expired
- A condition was evaluated incorrectly

Tell AVA what looks wrong and she will fix the flow.

**After a successful test**

Tell AVA: "Activate this automation." She will confirm and the flow goes live.

**Related:** How to Build Your First Automation Flow · Troubleshooting Automation Failures